Completed Attempted Assistance at KRI (Valerius)

[Valerius Nitrozian]

„You should be grateful“, he agreed as she thanked him. „I am always interested in supporting tasteful art, but we will talk more about that after tonight. This is hardly the right place or the right occasion to discuss your future career. If I’m still favourable inclined towards you once we are out of here, I might ask you to come to the Nitrozian Estate. I prefer to keep my work and my private ventures separate.“ „Most people either keep their notes in the desk or in a folder somewhere – unless they are the kind of notes that could damage somebody’s reputation or even endanger a life. I do not think that this is the case with the notes on your case though, no matter how important you think you are.“ He stopped talking for a moment and walked over to Doctor Alzelin’s desk. „I don’t want you to search the doctor’s desk“, he informed her. „You might make a mess. I intend to make his desk look as if nothing has happened. Doctor Alzelin is a very observant man. I know him best.“ With that he opened the first drawer and looked through the papers in it. He tried to remember exactly where each paper, each pen, each envelope and book were. Once he had searched the first drawer and put all the papers back again, he searched the second drawer. In the third drawer he finally found a folder that looked promising. The name „Moletta“ had been written on it. „I think this is it“, he said to her, but he didn’t give her the folder yet. „We will take a look at it together. And you will not tell anybody that I allowed you to read the doctor’s notes. Do you understand?“

[Amolina]

Amolina watched with surprised interest while Valerius systematically searched drawer after drawer in a very well thought through, well organized and precise way. A few things she had learnt during her recent temporary try at an intelligencer job came to her mind. She studied him and new speculations started up in her mind ... He hadn’t hesitated to take on the leadership and take action, once he had stopped acting like it was totally unthinkable that he needed to do something. The man had issued orders the whole day. And he issued orders now too. Yet it was different…in the animal stables it had been like he was doing it just because he could and found it convenient to dump work on someone else. Now she was under the impression he had the air of a person taking charge of things for real. Someone with a clear purpose, aiming for a goal. Valerius had seemed to be quite competent at the KRI work, knowledgeable, self assured and all that. But he wasn’t so scholary now. Just like she had skipped her previous colourless assistant image, Valerius seemed to have skipped something too – she wasn’t totally sure what, but … When he had entered the office he had acted like a good boy standing in line, dutifully defending his superiors – now he wasn’t being such a good boy anymore. He actually reminded her of a man set on war, looking for…weapons. He worked methodically and very accurately. No careless hurry-scurry there. He looked professional and unmoved, like rummaging through the doctors desk drawers wasn’t bothering him at all, and the only thing he saw as a problem was the risk of being discovered. She noticed the way he kept track of the items in the drawers and took care to put everything back in the right places. Covering the tracks…then he found the folder and asked if she understood that she needed to keep it secret that he shared the information with her. “Of course I understand. I will certainly not tell Doctor Alzelin anything. We will need to keep the appearance up. Who knows what he might do if he discovers that we have been …investigating his research in an evening meeting.” She made a small pause before she added: “I wouldn’t rule it out that he would take the chance to try to discredit you in order to destroy your career, if he finds out we did this. It could be a golden opportunity for him to get rid of a serious competitor.” Valerius seemed like he would be ready to look through the documents together with her. Amolina got to her feet and went to stand beside him. Valeruis opened the folder. It contained the notebook Alzelin used to write in, and a number of sheets with tables full of figures. The latter looked like quite complicated medical research information. Looking at it she realized she wouldn’t stand a chance to get what it was about – to her it was so enigmatic that it could as well have been encrypted. Well, perhaps it was, how could she know. She would leave that stuff to Valerius, in case he was able to get something out of it, now or later. “I don’t know how to understand all this” she said slowly. “He’s done lots of tests, checked my heart rhythm and other things, he said”. She took the notebook and opened it. The beginning was just like she had been told: She had been found screaming on the floor and taken to KRI, where she had spent days in coma, then she had slowly recovered and been sent back to the city. But there were also things the doctor had never told her … Miss Moletta is human and a citizen of Ravok, but I believe it ought to be alright to do a few experiments on a patient that will clearly die anyway. For the sake of science. I may never again get such a good opportunity to experiment on a human…I decided to try my new Vipocarine and the effects are amazing. She has started to slowly show signs of waking up from the coma. It’s too early to say how this will end, but right now it seems promising and I will go on. The awakening properties of Vipocarine seems to significantly exceed the effects it had on kelvics. I have definitely decided to increase the dose a bit …

[Valerius Nitrozian]

As Amolina spoke, Valerius briefly stopped his search and looked at her. „Doctor Alzelin would not dare to destroy my career“, he informed her. „I’m Amanda Nitrozian’s nephew and Sitanos‘ Nitrozian’s grandson. My family is too important. But it would without a doubt cause considerable problems. My grandfather especially would disapprove.“ He still disagreed with Amolina’s view that he was a serious competitor for Doctor Alzelin. Valerius was arrogant, he was vain, but he was nevertheless quite aware that he still had a lot to learn. In a year or two he would know enough to endanger the doctor’s position, but not now. „I am glad that we have an understanding, Miss Moletta.“ Once he had discovered the folder, he opened it and leafed through the notebook contained within. The many different tables were as cryptic to him as they were to her – he had just begun his studies at the KRI – but he didn’t tell her that. Valerius was a proud man. Admitting ignorance was not an option. So he nodded here and furrowed his brow a little there, and then he gestured for her to come a bit closer and remarked, „Interesting. Take a look at this page, Miss Moletta. Doctor Alzelin did not only try to cure you. He experimented on you just like he usually experiments on Kelvic.“ Valerius had very few problems with experimenting on Kelvic and even injecting them with lethal poisons or infecting them with diseases. As far as humans were concerned though … he pondered the issue for a moment, but then he decided that he didn’t mind either, as long as he didn’t know the subject personally. He decided to look a tiny bit concerned now though because Miss Moletta might not like being experimented on, and he didn’t want to waste time by arguing with her about it. „His experiments are probably the reason why you are still alive though. Do you know what Vipocarine is? He has never mentioned experimenting with something called Vipocarine to me.“

[Amolina]

At first Amolina was simply shocked, deeply, profoundly shocked. But slowly she realized Valerius had a point. If Alzelin had abstained from doing something, she would likely be dead. She had been dying when he had decided to test the treatment on her. Whatever Vipocarin was, it had saved her life. “It’s not like he deliberately acquired a human to experiment on” she said finally. “It’s more like he decided to try this…experiment… as a last resort when I was clearly going to die and he could as well try something as just watch. And…I must admit that if it had been possible to ask me - I would have said yes ! I would have preferred to volunteer for trying out new medicines and get a chance to live, instead of just giving up and die.” Her voice was serious. This was true, not something she just said. The doctors notes had however made her think he would have liked to deliberately find humans to experiment on, if he just had dared to do it. And it had actually seemed like he had only aimed to test his drug, and saving her life had just been a spin off. But Amolina didn’t want to start a discussion about it. There was no way for her and Valerius to know exactly what Alzelin had meant. She studied the Nitrozian curiously when he spoke about how his family named protected him. She watched him and wondered how it would feel to be so…sure of being totally safe and protected. It actually seemed like the only thing he feared was making his grandfather irritated. But was he right, did the name Nitrozian really protect him from everything ? Or did he only believe so, because he had been leading a sheltered life ? She wondered how Valerius Nitrozian would do he found himself in a situation where it didn’t help him to simply “be” a Nitrozian,… if he would need to rely on nothing else than his own personal talents and skills …would he be able to cope ? “And no, I don’t know what this … Vipocarine is. He has never told me anything. It’s the first time I get information about what he did. But it seems to be some kind of new drug, doesn’t it? He wrote that it made me wake me up…“ She looked at him : "And he didn't tell you about it? Not a single word about this research he seems to be so interested in ? And a whole new drug you never heard about ..." She might be alive, but she was still not feeling well. She wanted to know what Vipocarine was and if it could have had odd side effects, or of the lingering illness and odd sensations were caused by the poison only. If she could find some Vipocarine she could try it on…somebody. That way she might be able to find out more. It didn’t seem to kill people, so surely she could try it on…somebody. She would need to decide on a suitable person to try it on. She glanced around in the office, but didn’t see any suspect bottles around. Then again it didn’t seem to be something Alzelin would just leave on the desk or on an open shelf, for anyone to find. She would definitely try to find some Vipocarine…but not necessarily together with Valerius, if he would be against searching for it. It was perhaps not so important – to him. She felt a bit worried by that insight. He had after all promised to spare her if she could give him information that could advance his career and increase his influence. What if he didn't think their findings would help him? “We could search KRI for the …Vipocarine and see if we can find it, and try to do a few own tests in order to find out what it is and which effects it has” she said. ”If it turns out we are stuck here we can as well try to find it … or do you think there's a chance for us to get back to Ravok tonight?” If Valerius would say that they were going to search on and try to find out more she would do that. And if he would say they were going to do something else she would seem to agree with that decision too…but at some point, sooner or later, she would search KRI for more information and for the Vipocarine, regardless of what Valerius would answer right now !

[Valerius Nitrozian]

„No, he just saw an opportunity to experiment on a human and decided to take it“, Valerius replied, somewhat indifferently and shrugged his shoulders. He might have done the same if he had been in the doctor’s place. He had not tried out the Vipocarine on Amolina because he was such a good person and desperate to save her life. He decided not to tell her that though. He cared little about her sensibilities, but they were stuck here for the remainder of the night, and a mad and emotional woman could make that night very unpleasant for him. „And no, he didn’t tell me about it“, he continued and frowned very lightly. Apparently the doctor had kept some things secret from him after all. „I wonder why this is the case. Did he think that I would dispprove of it – or that I wouldn’t understand what he was talking about?“ He followed her gaze as she looked around the office, as if she were looking for something. „It’s unlikely that he keeps the Vipocarine in his office. I wouldn’t keep such a potent drug here, where everybody could access it.“ He crossed his arms over his chest and looked at her coldly as she talked about looking for the drug and doing a few experiments of their own. „We could look for it“, he agreed. „But what would you do if you found it? Who would you try it on? The Kelvic? Trust me, that would be noticed. The animals are checked every morning.“ „Think about it, Miss Moletta. Who would you use it on? And do you honestly think Doctor Alzelin and my aunt would not notice it if the bottle of Vipocarine were suddenly half empty? If you are so intent on getting your hands on it, I would make inquiries about it somewhere else.“ „I might be inclined to help you with that, but if you want to take the doctor’s bottle and randomly experiment on people – or Kelvic – you’ll have to do it alone.“

[Amolina]

“Oh.” Amolina thought about what Valerius had said. He seemed to think she had meant they would experiment on the kelvics, but Amolina had been thinking of human objects, of course. Alzelin’s notes had seemed to mean that the effects were much more interesting on humans than on kelvics. And now when Valerius asked her to think things through better, she realized that there was actually only one human object available at the moment. Valerius Nitrozian. Hmmm…they could use it on him. But it seemed like it had not even occurred to Valerius that he could test the Vipocarine on himself. And with the very cautious view he seemed to take, she guessed it might be hard to persuade him to do it. But he HAD sounded a bit insecure when he confirmed that Alzelin had not told him about the Vipocarine and the research he was doing with the drug. And he HAD said he would help to find out more about the drug, just not through random experiments on people. So, eventually, sooner or later, if they found Vipocarine, or managed to craft it, she would perhaps be able to make Valerius see the benefits of trying it on himself. But it was obviously no idea to mention this right now. “I’m not a scientist, but listening to you and discussing with you have made me take interest in the research here in KRI. I’m starting to feel quite inspired and enthusiastic, Mr Nitrozian. I hope to be able to learn more, eventually. If you don't mind me assisting a bit. Art and the stage is my fate, but I’m not averse to be of use for science. I have many ideas. ” She went on to telling Valerius that she didn’t think random experiments would work. It would need to be …human research objects…that could participate actively and answer questions about what they are experiencing. So they would need to be informed that they were research objects...there might be people who would like to earn quick money and would not be too picky about what they had to do. She told Valerius about a tavern in The Docks, named The Spot, where people went to get temporary jobs. It could very well be possible to hire various research objects through The Spot. “Think of the possibilities Mr Nitrozian. It would take medical science in Ravok to a new level, if experiments could be done on humans, wouldn’t it? And it would be perfectly all right and socially correct too, I believe. If people accept being experiemented on and are being paid for it, then it wouldn’t be bad respect for humans. It would be decent, respectable and lawful business. And perhaps a huge step forward for science. ” She paused thoughtfully before she continued. “Vipocarine or not, this way of working, would sort of be pioneer science. Do you believe this could advance your career ? ” Pause. “This method has obviously not occurred to Alzelin. Yet. It would need to be done secretly - if you don't want to involve him and share your findings with him, despite that he doesn't share all his findings with you. ” Amateur Science was definitely feeling very inspiring ! Encouraged by all the things she had come up with already, she felt new ideas coming to her mind. She had flow now, she definitely had flow! She was thinking of lots of things now, mostly science of course, but also plays and acting, and there were practicalities to deal with, like where to sleep if they were stuck here for the night. She doubted there was beds in KRI. But some of the kelvics had hay in their cages, she had seen that. So perhaps there was a barn nearby, with fresh hay where she and Valerius could spend the night…oh well, this didn’t seem to be such a good idea, normally, but necessity has no law sometimes! She looked at the folder. “ If we need to investigate this more, and perhaps even discuss selected parts of it with somebody in the Institute of Higher Learning at some point, it could be useful to have a copy. Do you think we ought to copy the notes? “

[Valerius Nitrozian]

„Is that so?“ Valerius asked and arched an eyebrow as she confessed that she had taken an interest in research. „Am I looking at a future colleague then? I sincerely hope that you will be able to keep your hands out of other people’s desks then, Miss Moletta.“ Despite the tone in which he spoke, the Nitrozian didn’t disapprove of Amolina’s sudden scientific ambitions entirely. She had an unfortunate tendency to look at things that were none of her business, but she was inquisitive, determined and possessed some small manner of intelligence. „I won’t assist you though. I currently know more than you do. I may be persuaded to teach you and provide you with a little guidance though.“ He proceeded to listen to her. They were going to be stuck here for the remainder of the night. There were worse ways to spend it than with scientific talk, even if that science was of a questionable nature. “There might be some people who are desperate enough to let themselves be used as research objects“, he agreed. „Where would we conduct that research though? I cannot imagine that Doctor Alzelin and my aunt will let us rent a lab at the KRI. The whole place is already full of animals. Besides, we may want to keep our research secret from them for a while. Shall I try and procure something for us?“ Despite the bad first impression he had had of her, he was almost beginning to like her … now. Why had he never thought of such things? „It could advance my career – and yours, if you decide not to focus your entire energy on acting.“ He glanced at the doctor’s notebook again. „We should at least copy the most important parts. I will get you some paper. We will not be using Doctor Alzelin’s paper or his quills. He would notice if a stack of paper were suddenly missing. As I told you before, he is a very observant man.“

[Amolina]

“If you take on to teach me and guide me I will dedicate myself to science as often as I have time for it” she said. “And you are right. It can’t be done here at KRI. We will need to find another place.” They seemed to have a deal, sort of, if she understood it right. But the tone Valerius spoke in when he told her he expected her to keep her hands out of other people’s desks made her cautious. Best to not take too much for granted, she thought. Valerius was soon back with paper, ink and quills. Amolina took one of the quills and started to copy the text in the notebook. As she didn’t want to seem like she was trying to investigate the desk again, she left the desk to Valerius and sat down to work on the floor instead. She wrote everything down exactly like it was written by Alzelin. After this she went on to making copies of tables too and fill in figures and notes there, making sure to copy every detail as exactly as she could. It was lots of information and after a while she realized it could take the lion’s part of the night just to copy everything they needed. But it might be the only chance they would ever get to copy it. “Mr Nitrozian” she said finally “I’m sorry but I wouldn’t be surprised if I fall asleep soon, right here on the floor.” It had been a tough day and an even tougher evening and now it was late. She was ready to sleep anywhere she cold find, a chair, a kelvic cage, the floor of an empty room somewhere. Just not on the floor in Alzelin’s room…it would be disaster if he came back to work next day and found her and Valerian sleeping in his office, on top of a pile of copies of his research notes. “How much is left to copy ? And we’ll need to put everything back in the right places in the drawer too. And I really need to find somewhere to sleep.” As soon as they were done and Valerius had put the doctors notes and other things back into the drawer, she would find somewhere to sleep, no matter where…this was all she could think of now. If Valerius didn’t have any better ideas and could tell her where to sleep, she would actually make do with the nearest free kelvic cage that wasn’t too dirty…perhaps with some hay on the floor, and a blanket even. OOCWrap, wrap, as we agreed If it's okay, this can be the final post for Amolina, and you can end the thread with a final post for Valerius.

[Valerius Nitrozian]

„I’m glad that you have decided to be reasonable“, Valerius remarked as Amolina agreed that such a kind of research couldn’t be conducted at the KRI. Maybe the night wasn’t a complete waste of time, despite the fact that he still yearned for his soft and comfortable bed at the Nitrozian Estate. Maybe associating himself with this woman wouldn’t be a waste of time, even if he would have to watch her and try to curb certain tendencies of hers. With that thought in mind he briefly left the doctor’s office to procure a stack of paper and two quills, one for him and one for her. He decided to copy a few parts of the doctor’s notebook as well. Valerius handwriting was very neat and elegant and easy to read. He could probably have copied the notebook faster if didn’t pay so much attention to his handwriting, but a sloppy handwriting just wasn’t acceptable to him. He was a perfectionist. „I wouldn’t advise that“, he informed her as she spoke about falling asleep right on the floor of the doctor’s office. „The good Doctor Alzelin might not like it if he found a former patient of his in his office when he returns in the morning.“ „We are almost done, another half bell maybe. I will put everything back.“ They did indeed finish copying the notes in half a bell, and after that Valerius took Doctor Alzelin’s notebook and put it exactly where it had been. „We will sleep in one of the storage rooms“, he informed her after he had closed the drawer of the doctor’s desk and returned the quills and the remaining paper. „They are at least marginally more comfortable than the cages. I will find blankets for us.“ He was not looking forward to the prospect of sleeping in the same room as a woman, a woman that he barely knew, but he didn’t trust her enough to leave her unsupervised for the rest of the night. He’d survive, most likely. With that thought in mind he gestured for her to follow him. It was time to go to bed.

[Amolina]

Brand new scientific ideas were milling in their tired brains. But it was late and Valerius and Amolina were tired, when they finally left Doctor Alzelin's office for a night of well deserved sleep in a storage room in KRI. And there we leave them, with their research plans, copies, blankets, general troubles with sharing a room with people they barely know, and so on... The theme continues in A Suitable Place for Secret Science